Sat, Oct 17, 2026

James Island Connector Run

Charleston, SC

Registration openAnnual since at least 2017

8K5K

Entry is $40 now and rises to $45 after Aug 24, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the James Island Connector Run

The course runs out and back along the James Island Connector, a bridge over the Ashley River with views of the downtown Charleston peninsula. There are no intersections, no turns through neighborhoods, just open road above the water. The connector closes to traffic for the race, so the whole surface belongs to runners and walkers. The route has a gentle grade as it rises onto the bridge.

Parking is not at the start. Runners leave their cars at a city lot and ride shuttles to the base of the connector on James Island. Packet pickup is available the evening before at a running store, with a second window at the start on race morning. Food and drinks are waiting at the finish, with awards and photos after everyone is in.

Free race emails

Get the Weekly RunSesh

In for this one or still deciding, keep race season near Charleston on your radar: a Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of the weekend's races.

Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

8K · 2025 results

274finishers

27:44winner

45:51median

1:13:04cutoff

Top 3: Ryan Berlin (27:44) · Jason Annan (29:33) · Sam Keel (29:41)

5K · 2025 results

183finishers

20:26winner

32:45median

1:05:28cutoff

Top 3: Mary Legare Whaley (20:26) · Alison Chapman (20:42) · Andrew Knight (20:59)

The James Island Connector Run has been held every year since at least 2017. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 8K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

8K10/17/2026 08:00$50

5K10/17/2026 08:00$40

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Charleston — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.

Common Questions About the James Island Connector Run

Will I finish last at the James Island Connector Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 8K field finished slower than 45:51, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:13:04, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the James Island Connector Run a good first 8K?

A field of 274 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 8K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the James Island Connector Run?

The 8K winner ran 27:44 while the median finisher took 45:51. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.